Fitting room construction



Jan. 16, 1940" THUMM 2,187,408

FITTING BOOM CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 3, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 [12 men for Jan. 16, 1940; F, THU 2,187,408

FITTING ROOM CONSTRUCTiON Filed Feb. 3, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 N g R go zwmww JKMMAQ Jan. 16, 1940. G M.

FITTING ROOM CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 3, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 16, 1940 eras NT orsics FITTING ROOM: CUNSTEUC'ELION Application February 3, 1939, Serial No. 254,417

11 Claims.

ll/ly invention is an improvement in readily erected collapsible units of the kind generally known as fitting rooms in the form of a booth for temporary use by a customer, in connection .3 with merchandising of wearing apparel.

The complete unit is designed for erection, either singly or in connected series of various rectangular arrangements and. comprises a plurality of corner posts or columns, wall sections,

framing elements, and various detail items, as shall be more fully described, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective View of one of the units illustrating its complete construction;

Fig. 2 is a detail. plan view of one of the mirror supports;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the columns, partly broken away, showing the cross framing, wall section, and other features of construction;

Fig. i is a vertical sectional View, partly broken away, showing the connection between a column and adjacent framing portions;

Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line V--V of Figs to 10 inclusive are a series of various horizontal cross sections through different forms of the columns and partitions, illustrating a corresponding series oi framing connections there with;

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view partly broken away or" one of the composite column-forming framing strips or slotted post section adapted for reception of a partition or wall section mem 115 her;

12 is a similar partial view of a similar member provided with a blank middle portion;

l3 is a similar partial View of one of the connecting ribbon strip members for joining the edge portions of said members.

Generally stated, and as illustrated in Fig. 1, and where designed for the particular use as a fitting room, an interior rectangular cavity or space is confined between a front and an oppo- 5. site back. wall 2, 2, in connection With end Walls 3, ll, and an entrance and exit opening t adapted to be closed by a movable element 5, as a curtain.

The main structural supporting members for so". the said unit consist of the several corner posts A, and a supplemental intervening post or col- .umn A, between which and the adjacent corner column A is the entrance and exit opening 4.

Between the several main supporting columns 55uA are installed the partition .or wall members 2 1 and t, fixedly mounted and held by the particular longitudinal top and bottom framing members 21 and 24 of the several columns, as disclosed in the remaining figures of the drawings.

Incidentally, such construction as in Fig. 1. provides an enclosing space of suitable size for the purpose intended. The inner sides of the opposite end wall 3 are provided with mirrors l5 extending inwardly from the opposite wall faces and disposed angularlyfor the purpose of deflection of the reflected image of an intervening object, as a customer.

The mirror ll is supported from a bracket plate be secured to the upper cross member 21, ex-- tending angularly at one or both sides for opposite cross beam reflection of an intervening object or person, as in Fig. 1.

Illumination is also provided by means of lamps 'l supported by suitable brackets ll extending inwardly over the mirrors from their mount-- lugs, and at suitable locations the interior is provided with clothing and package racks 9.

Such elements are useful and appropriate in connection with the enclosing structure when used as a fitting room, but obviously are not es sential and may be omitted or substituted by others, dependent on the particular use for which the construction is designed.

The important feature rendering the invention capable of variously modified embodiments is in the construction of the columns A and modifications thereof, as in column A, and as variously illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive.

Referring. thereto, each column is supported upon a pedestal l0, preferably turned from woodenstock and providing a base it either circular or of other form, having a lower floor contacting surface and an upper outer surface it, inwardly beyond which is the central rectangular upwardly extending block portion l 3.

Such base is secured to the floor surface by a central screw M as shown in Fig. 4 and the base as thus secured constitutes the initial foundation for the column structure.

It is capable of adaptation to doors of uneven contour or level and is readily adapted thereto by removing more or less of the lower face portion, so as to bring the general level of all such bases to a common line.

As stated the central upstanding portion i3 is rectangular, asshown in Fig. 10, providing for equally spaced side faces against which bear the middle channel web portions it of framing strips Ill.

As shown, such particular formrofiiraming .1

strip is used at one or more sides of the column for channel reception of the edge portion of partition 2 or 3, between the inwardly extending web l5 and its'side cheeks l1, forming a rectangular groove or channel for the wall.

Beyond such cheeks I! both sides of the strip are deflected laterally and backwardly therefrom forming the inner walls l8 and by reversal of the sheet metal providing the outer parallel flanges l9 at each side, with the intervening channel 20.

As thus made a series of such strips when assembled, are telescopically connected by the supplemental connecting ribbon strips 2| having the inwardly extending reversed flanges 22, for interfitting sliding engagement with the edge flanges 19 when inserted between them and walls I8.

As thus assembled it will be noted that the general structure approximates an octagonal shape, preferably with variations on alternating side faces by the outwardly rounded or bowed wall of strip 2|. It will be understood that each of such members as shown is made of comparatively thin sheet metal, assembled by longitudinal telescoping engagement and closely arranged around and against the rectangular upstanding extension l3 of base in.

Wherever the partition receiving channel is not needed, as in the strip member I6a, Fig. 12, the side cheeks I! are omitted. The inner edges of portions i8 of channel I6 are directly connected by the outer straight middle web portion i511, instead of the channel form, indicated in dotted lines. Otherwise, such strip is the same as strip 16 and is likewise combinable with the intervening connecting strips 2!.

Obviously such a column is capable of erection by using the same standard pieces throughout, merely substituting a channeled connecting strip in place of a blank similar strip, or vice versa, wherever it is desirable to utilize the column for connection with an additional partition wall.

Fig. 6 clearly illustrates such construction and arrangement providing for one partition wall connection only. Fig. '7 shows generally the same construction but in which two partitions may be connected at opposite sides. Fig. 8 shows a corner column with partition walls extending at right angles to each other. Fig. 9 shows an arrangement providing for connection with three such walls, and Fig. 10 shows a complete utilization at all four sides providing for an equal number of partitions similarly disposed, as in an intervening column between longitudinal and lateral multiple units.

The partitions are fixedly held in place by securing screws 23 inserted through web sections l5 at vertically arranged intervals. Partition wall 2 or 3, which may be of any suitable material as ply wood, beaver board, or the like is supported at an appreciable distance above the floor level by such screws. The partitions are also connected with a lower cross channel 24 of rectangular box form in cross section, by screws 23a. Such channel extends to an opening 25 in web and is utilized for the passage of electric wiring 26, where such is desired for illumination, etc.

As shown, partition 2 abuts and supports such lower cross member 24 and is also in underneath engagement and is also connected by screws 23a with a similar box-like channel 27 at the top, also utilized for wiring when desired.

The top member 2'! also constitutes a finishing rim or edge for the construction, extending inwardly through out out opening 25a of channel 16. See Fig. 11.

A U-shape channel 28 engages the partition edge between the top member 21 and the partition, having a terminal flange 29 bent downwardly and in holding connection with the inner face portion of web l5, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. A similar channel member 28a engages and is connected with the lower .edge of the partition between it and channel member 24.

By such construction it will be seen that the several columns as thus made are fixedly connected with their adjacent columns in either of the several directions of extension where a plurality of units are combined. Therefore, in either a single installation or in any possible arrangementof plural unit installations, the individual members, such as fitting rooms, are complete and serviceable, each with an entrance and exit opening leading to the exterior as a hallway, and capable of its intended use.

The cLu'tain 5 is supported by a series of terminal hooks or .eyes 30 having inner supporting tops slidably mounted along groove 3| of a supporting trackway 32 of well known construction, secured inwardly of channel 28 across the open space of the comparatively narrow doorway 4. As clearly shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the lower supported box girders 24 are spaced materially above the floor level, providing an ample clearance space for ventilation, sweeping, etc., and maintenance of sanitary conditions.

As will be obvious, the main sections 16 and Ifia are each interchangeable for connection with sections 2!, dependent on the number of wall sections to be connected to each particular column.

The construction as a whole is extremely simple, easily erected or taken apart, composed of a comparatively few standard sections, and of comparatively cheap cost and continuing efficiency.

The construction, while well adapted to the particular purpose mentioned, is equally serviceable under various other conditions or in diiferent industries or economic utilizations.

It is capable of installation in various dimensions as to enclosure of floor area; may be of different heights, and may be greatly modified and exploited as to different features of additional utility, ornamentation, etc., while maintaining the same inherent principle of construction.

All such changes which may be made by the skilled mechanic or designing architect are understood to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A composite column consisting of an annular series of deformed longitudinal sheet metal strips consisting of four equidistantly spaced annularly arranged sections each having a middle web portion and reversely and backwardly inclined flanged portions having outwardly reversed edges forming grooves, and corresponding intervening connecting sections having flanged edges in holding slidable engagement with said grooves.

2. A composite column consisting of an annular series of deformed longitudinal sheet metal strips consisting of four equidistantly spaced sections each having a middle web portion and reversely and backwardly inclined flanged portions having outwardly reversed edges forming grooves, corresponding intervening connecting sections having flanged edges in slidable holding engagement with said grooves, and a supporting base therefor having an upstanding rectangular extension with its corners terminating between the groove-forming terminal edges of theiirst named strips.

3. A composite column consisting of an an nular series of deformed longitudinal sheet metal strips consisting of four equidistantly spaced sections each having a middle inner web and side portions forming a partition-receiving channel and reversely and backwardly inclined portions having outwardly reversed edges forming grooves, intervening telescoping sections having an outwardly rounded middle portion and inwardly re-- versed flanged edges in holding engagement with said grooves, and a supporting base therefor having an upstanding rectangular extension engageable with said inwardly extended web portions.

i. A rectangular enclosing booth having a series of partition walls, a plurality of corner columns therefor each composed of a series oi. equally spaced vertical sheet metal strips, one or more thereof being provided with inwardly disposed sides and a web forming a channel for receptive connection of wall edges according to the number thereof, means connecting the wall edges with the channel webs, intervening connecting stripsin tongue and groove engagement with said strips, upper and lower cross connect-- ing channel members between the columns hav ing flange engagement and connection with the upper and lower edges of the walls, and uppermostand lowermost cross connecting hollow members communicating through the vertical channel webs and connected with said upper and lower channel members and with the partition walls.

5. In combination with a pair of corner columns as described each having a sectional sheet metal strip provided with lateral edge portions in tongue and groove engagement with a connecting strip and having inwardly extending side portions and a bottom web providing a wall receiving channel, a connecting partition therebetween with its vertical edges fixedly mounted in said channels of both columns, an upper and a lower channel member secured to the upper and lower edges of the partition respectively, and uppermost and lowermost hollow members secured to the partition and its channel members forming conduits for wiring or the like communicating through the web of the wall receiving channels with the interior of each column.

6. A composite column comprising an annular series of at least three equally spaced longitudinal sheet metal sections each having a middle flat web portion and diverging extensions, and terminating in reversed oppositely inclined flanged I portions providing grooves, and slidably engaged connecting strips therefor having inwardly reversed edges engaging said grooves.

'l. A composite column comprising an annular series of at least three equally spaced longitudinal sheet metal sections each having a middle iiat web portion, oneor more of such web portions being receded inwardly between flanking side portions forming a partition-receiving channel, then extended by oppositely inclined diverging extensions and terminating in reversed flanged portions providing grooves, and connecting strips therefor having middle outwardly rounded middle portions having reversed edges engaging said grooves.

8. In a rectangular fitting room construction, in combination with partition walls, connecting and supporting corner columns therefor each composed of an annular series of at least three deformed sheet metal strips provided with a middle fiat web portion, one or more of such web portionsbeing receded inwardly between flanking side portions in edge engagement with a partition, then extended by oppositely inclined diverging extensicns and terminating in reversed flanged portions providing grooves, and connect ing strips therefor having middle covering portions provided with reversed edges engaging said grooves.

9. In a rectangular fitting room construction, in combination with partition walls, connecting and supporting corner columns therefor each composed of an annular series of at least three deformed sheet metal strips provided with a middle flat web portion, one or more of such web portions being receded inwardly between flanking side portions in edge engagement with a partition, then extended by oppositely inclined diverging extensions and terminating in reversed flanged portions providing grooves, connecting strips therefor having middle covering portions provided with reversed edges engaging said grooves, and a column-supporting block having an upwardly extending flat side middle extension engageable with one or more of such inwardly receded web portions of said strips.

10. A composite column consisting of an annular series of deformed longitudinal sheet metal strips consisting of four equidistantly spaced sections each having a middle web portion and reversely and backwardly inclined flanged portions having outwardly reversed edges forming grooves, some of the web portions being extended inwardly for groove formation, and intervening telescoping sections having an outwardly rounded middle portion and inwardly reversed flanged edges in holding engagement with said edge grooves.

11. In a rectangular enclosing booth having a series of partition walls, a plurality of corner columns therefor each composed of a series of CARL F. THUMM. 

